Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland, who is credited with turning the Scottish National Party into a major political force, has died at 69.
Salmond collapsed and died on Saturday shortly after delivering a speech.
Salmond was the first minister of Scotland between 2007 and 2014.
He turned the Scottish National Party from a fringe movement into the dominant force in Scottish politics.
His political career took off when he was elected to Parliament as the MP for Banff and Buchan in 1987, which he represented later in Holyrood.
It was the largest party at the 2007 Scottish elections, with Salmond as first minister at the head of a minority government.
The vote for his long-held plans to hold an independence referendum was held in 2014, but was defeated by 55 per cent to 45 per cent, forcing Mr Salmond to resign.
Nicola Sturgeon succeeded him as first minister in 2014, paid tribute to her “mentor” and said she was “shocked and sorry” to hear of his death.
Salmond and his allies were enraged by Sturgeon’s handling of the Scottish Government’s official investigation into claims of sexual misconduct while ihe was in office.
Salmond was charged with 14 offences against 10 women including rape, sexual assault, indecent assault and breach of the peace.
He was acquitted of all 14 charges in March 2020 following a trial at Edinburgh’s high court.
The schism with Sturgeon prompted him to set up Alba in 2021. The party has since stood against the SNP in Scottish and UK elections.
Boris Johnson said: “Alex Salmond was one of the great political disruptors of the age, the father of modern Scottish nationalism.
“He was charismatic, clever, caustic and fearsome in debate. I am glad that he never succeeded in breaking up the Union but very sad that he is gone.”
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